If you live in Cardiff and have been told that you need braces, you may want to know more about one of the most popular options available: clear braces, which are sometimes called clear aligners or invisible braces. Below you will find some useful information about this dental treatment and about what it can do for you.

Who are they for?

Clear braces are the treatment of choice for anyone who has crooked or unevenly aligned teeth. However, each case is different, so only your dentist is qualified to make a recommendation. In terms of age groups, braces are mostly worn by children and teenagers, and less than 1 per cent of braces patients are adults. Even though young patients tend to achieve better and faster results, braces are also suitable for adults. In fact, clear braces are often recommended to adults who require orthodontic treatment but prefer a discreet solution. In particular, invisible braces are a good option for adults who have a busy professional life and frequent speaking commitments, as they are unobtrusive and do not interfere with speech and / or pronunciation.

What types of clear braces are available?

Generally speaking, there are two types of clear braces available. The first type is sometimes known as ceramic braces, which are similar to metal braces but are less visible since they are made with teeth-coloured materials. The second type are invisible braces, which are for patients who only need minor corrections, and standard invisible braces.

How long are these braces worn for?

Unlike traditional braces (which are fixed to the teeth), clear braces and invisible braces are removable. Although they must be worn through the day and for an average of 22 hours / day, patients can take them out to brush their teeth or to eat (this is not the case of ceramic clear braces though). In the majority of cases, clear braces must be worn for 12 months, although some people only need to wear them for 9 months and others must extend their treatments for up to 2 years.

What are the benefits?

The main purpose of clear and invisible braces is to help you achieve a smile you are proud of, but the benefits are not just cosmetic. Perfectly aligned teeth make eating easier and help improve dental hygiene, since once your teeth are straight is it much easier to reach every part of your teeth and gums when brushing and flossing. And because clear and invisible braces are lighter than traditional metal braces, they offer higher comfort levels, and as you may guess, comfort is an important point to bear in mind for dental treatments that have to be worn more or less continuously.